Temecula Unveils New Temporary Mural Día de los Muertos at Sam Hicks Monument Park

The City of Temecula Community Services Department and the Temecula Valley Museum announce a new Temecula Art Mural at Sam Hicks Monument Park (28300 Mercedes Street) on display during SEP & OCT of 2024. This temporary public art piece recognizes Día de los Muertos. The mural presents the theme of the traditional Mexican holiday and showcases the incredible skill of students from Bigfoot Art Classes and Diamond Valley Middle School.

As a local teacher and the designer of this mural, Clarissa Lee had this to say about the project, "Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday to honor and pay respect to family and friends who have died. Our students wanted to remember and pay homage to the Mexican pioneers of Temecula for this holiday. Among the portraits depicted in this mural are Pio Pico, Juan Bautista Alvarado, Felix Valdez, and Mariano Vallejo. A historic map of Temecula is displayed in the background, with pictures of the deceased resting in the foreground. Candles and flowers adorn the picture frames, similar to la ofrenda. Temecula has a rich history, and we are happy to remember those who are no longer with us."

The Temecula Art Mural Project seeks to support local artists by providing a space to showcase their craft. Artists have the opportunity to paint a large-scale mural on varying topics, facilitated by Bigfoot Art Classes' Tony Moramarco.

The museum will also celebrate Día de los Muertos through facts and free crafts in the museum's Art and Education Room. Also, be sure to visit the museum on SAT, SEP 14, 2024 for the monthly event, Culture Days, where a different culture is celebrated each month. This month, we will be celebrating Mexico with live Ballet Folklorico entertainment, tastes of cultural cuisine, crafts, activities, and a free art lesson led by instructors from Bigfoot Art Classes.

For more information on the Temecula Art Mural, the Temecula Valley Museum and other programs, call 951-694-6450, visit TemeculaValleyMuseum.org, and follow us @TemeculaValleyMuseum.